Automotive News – December 2024
Estimated reading time 7 minutes
Van market posts second best-ever November but EVs and pick-ups need support to keep pace.
- Light commercial vehicle registrations rise 10.5% in second best November on record.
- Uptake of all van classes rises but pick-up demand continues to decline.
- Electric van volumes grow by a third, but review of market regulation urgently needed as annual market share retreats further from 10% target.
The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market recorded its fourth consecutive month of growth as registrations rose by 10.5% in November, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). With 30,300 new vans, pick-ups and 4x4s registered, it was the second biggest November in history for the market.
Discounts drive EV growth amid wider market contraction.
- UK’s new car market declines by -1.9% in November with 153,610 deliveries made.
- EV uptake rises as manufacturers continue unprecedented discounts totalling £4 billion this year.
- Industry welcomes urgent review of market regulation and incentives to deliver successful transition.
Deliveries of new cars fell by -1.9% in the UK during November with 153,610 joining the road, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It is the second consecutive monthly decline, and the third decline in four months, as the market contracts amid the race to meet tough EV market share targets.
CV production records best January-October performance in 16 years.
- UK commercial vehicle manufacturing falls -3.9% in October, but still records second-best monthly performance since 2008.
- Production for exports drops -11.6%, while domestic demand grows by 11.9%.
- Year to date output up 6.9% to 105,834 units – a 16-year high.
- News comes as industry calls for urgent action on market regulation and business costs.
UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing fell by -3.9% in October following September’s return to growth, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline is set against a high performing October 2023 when production volumes jumped 47.5%, making it the month’s highest output since 2008. This October came a close second, however, with 12,387 vans, buses, trucks, coaches and taxis rolling out of factory gates, just 503 fewer vehicles than last year.
Car output slips in October as UK and EU markets stall.
- British car production down -15.3% in October with 77,484 units rolling off factory lines.
- Output for home and export markets declines -4.7% and -17.6% respectively.
- Latest production outlook downgrades expectations as new car markets in UK and overseas stall.
- News comes as industry calls for urgent action with weak EV demand and unsustainable business costs undermining UK manufacturing.
UK car manufacturing output fell -15.3% in October, the eighth consecutive month of decline, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 77,484 units left factory gates, 14,037 fewer than in the same month last year, with plants continuing their retooling to enable production of the next generation of zero emission vehicles.
The boss of car making giant Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, has quit with immediate effect following a boardroom clash. His abrupt exit from the company – which owns brands including Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler – comes two months after Stellantis issued a profit warning.
Last week, the firm also announced plans to close its Vauxhall van making factory in Luton, putting about 1,100 jobs at risk.
Before his resignation, Mr Tavares was one of the most powerful people in the global motor industry. He had a reputation as a ruthless cost-cutter, at both French group PSA and then, following its merger with Fiat Chrysler in 2021, at Stellantis.
A Trafford Park vehicle parts group is boosting its manufacturing capabilities following a £1m funding boost from HSBC UK, which it says will lead to the creation of 100 jobs.
Sampa UK & Ireland, a global supplier of aftermarket parts for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, says the package will improve its customer service offering.
Initiatives supported by the funding include expanding the business’s fleet of same-day delivery vans, enhancing next-day delivery options, and investing in its logistics and distribution network to provide faster and more efficient service to customers.
Luxury car maker Jaguar has unveiled its new electric concept car, and, like a recent controversial teaser video, it has divided opinion. Some on social media said the new Type 00 car is “exciting” and “absolutely stunning” while another told Jaguar’s designers to “go back to the drawing board”.
The carmaker, which is embarking on the biggest change in its history, announced a new logo and released a so-called “social media tease” last month, ahead of its relaunch as an electric-only brand.
Many critics pointed out that the promotional video did not feature an actual car, but the firm was also praised by some for its bold new approach.
One in four cars sold in the UK last month was electric, according to industry figures, but new registrations were driven by steep discounting.
Electric car sales grew in November for the 11th consecutive month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) as carmakers raced to meet tough targets. Manufacturers gave “massive” discounts worth around £4bn on electric vehicles (EVs), the SMMT said.
Some firms are expected to miss the government’s electric vehicle (EV) sales targets this year and could face fines, but flexibilities in the rules mean this is unlikely. The rules say car makers have to sell a certain amount of EVs, but they are able to buy sales credits from other firms or ‘borrow’ from their own quotas in future years.
Birmingham City Council has signed a contract with vehicle manufacturer Dennis Eagle to purchase 151 new refuse, recycling and food waste vehicles.
The first of the vehicles will begin arriving in March 2025 and will replace a mix of outdated council-owned vehicles, many of which are no longer fit for service and hired vehicles that have been in use.
The contract includes 110 of the versatile and safety-focused Elite+ trucks, along with 41 compact 7.5-tonne Orus trucks for organic waste collection.
Burton-based electric vehicle charge point supplier Project EV has unveiled the UK’s first-megawatt vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charger, designed for heavy-duty electric vehicles.
Developed in partnership with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Innovate UK, the system allows large EVs to charge faster and return excess energy to the grid, helping balance electricity demand during peak times.
The V2G technology provides a double benefit: powering up vehicles efficiently while enabling businesses to offset electrification costs by feeding energy back to the grid. It marks a step forward for commercial fleets transitioning away from diesel and meeting clean air zone regulations.
